Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.31 | Aug 13 2014

Phenformin-Loaded Polymeric Micelles for Targeting Both Cancer Cells and Cancer Stem Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Researchers show that the drug-loaded micelles were more effective in inhibiting the growth of both side population (SP) and non-SP cells. In vivo studies conducted in an H460 human lung cancer mouse model demonstrated that the drug-loaded micelles had greater anti-tumor efficacy, and reduced the population of SP cells in the tumor tissues more effectively than free phenformin. [Biomaterials] Abstract

Proliferation and Enrichment of CD133⁺ Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells on 3D Chitosan-Alginate Scaffolds
Scientists report that growing cells from glioblastoma cell lines on three dimensional (3D) porous chitosan-alginate scaffolds dramatically promotes the proliferation and enrichment of cells possessing the hallmarks of cancer stem cells. [Biomaterials] Abstract

SIRT1 Is Required for Oncogenic Transformation of Neural Stem Cells and for the Survival of “Cancer Cells with Neural Stemness” in a p53-Dependent Manner
Researchers demonstrate that the expression of silent mating type information regulation 2, homolog (SIRT1), expressed in “cancer cells with neural stemness,” is critical not only for the maintenance of stem cells, but also for oncogenic transformation. [Neuro Oncol] Abstract

MicroRNA-1246 Expression Associated with CCNG2-Mediated Chemoresistance and Stemness in Pancreatic Cancer
The in vitro drug sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells was altered according to microRNA (miR)-1246 expression via CCNG2. In vivo, scientists found that miR-1246 could increase tumor-initiating potential and induced drug resistance. [Br J Cancer] Abstract

Vaccination with ErbB-2 Peptides Prevents Cancer Stem Cell Expansion and Suppresses the Development of Spontaneous Tumors in MMTV-PyMT Transgenic Mice
Researchers investigated a peptide-based vaccine, which consists of two MHC class II epitopes derived from murine ErbB-2, to prevent the occurrence of spontaneous tumors in breast and assess immune impact on breast cancer stem cells. [Breast Cancer Res Treat] Abstract

Down-Regulation of Sp1 Suppresses Cell Proliferation, Clonogenicity and the Expressions of Stem Cell Markers in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Researchers investigated the cellular function of Sp1 and aimed to verify the clinical significance of Sp1 as a potential therapeutic target in nasopharyngeal carcinoma. [J Transl Med] Full Article

Potential Effect of Matrix Stiffness on the Enrichment of Tumor Initiating Cells under Three-Dimensional Culture Conditions
The potential effect of matrix stiffness on the biological characteristics of human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) tumor initiating cells (TICs), especially the enrichment of HNSCC TICs, was investigated under three-dimensional culture conditions by means of alginate gel beads with different matrix stiffnesses. [Exp Cell Res] Abstract

The Ordered Acquisition of Class II and Class I Mutations Directs Formation of Human t(8;21) Acute Myelogenous Leukemia Stem Cell
Scientists show that in t(8;21) acute myelogenous leukemia, hematopoietic stem cells transform into leukemia stem cells via definitively-ordered acquisition of Class II and then Class I abnormalities. [Exp Hematol] Abstract

Cancer Stem-Like Cells from Head and Neck Cancers Are Chemosensitized by the Wnt Antagonist, sFRP4, by Inducing Apoptosis, Decreasing Stemness, Drug Resistance and Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Researchers found that an antagonist of FrzB/Wnt, the secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (sFRP4), inhibited the growth of cancer stem cells from two head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, Hep2 and KB. [Cancer Gene Ther] Abstract

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Seattle Genetics Initiates Phase I Clinical Trial of Antibody-Drug Conjugate SGN-CD70A for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma and Renal Cell Carcinoma
Seattle Genetics, Inc. announced the initiation of a Phase I clinical trial evaluating SGN-CD70A for CD70-positive relapsed or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma and metastatic renal cell carcinoma. [Seattle Genetics, Inc.] Press Release

FDA Grants Orphan Drug Designation for OncoSynergy’s Investigational Monoclonal Antibody OS2966 in the Treatment of Glioblastoma
OncoSynergy announced that the FDA Office of Orphan Products Development has granted orphan drug designation for the investigational drug candidate OS2966, a neutralizing anti-CD29 monoclonal antibody, for the treatment of glioblastoma, the most common and deadliest primary adult brain tumor. [OncoSynergy (PR Newswire Association LLC)] Press Release

Food and Drug Administration (United States)

Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (United States)

European Medicines Agency (European Union)

Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (United Kingdom)

Therapeutic Goods Administration Australia)

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Tenure Track Positions – Cancer Biology (Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center)

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Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Properties of Leukemic Stem Cells (BC Cancer Agency)

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Postdoctoral Position – Stem Cells and Cancer (Brigham & Women’s Hospital – Harvard Medical School)

Research Assistant/Research Associate – Stem Cell and Cancer Biology (University of North Texas Health Science Center)

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Scientist – Pluripotent Stem Cell Media Development, High Throughput Screening (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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Scientist – Immunology/Cell Separation (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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